Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who has control or authority over others or something: A master is someone who has the power to command, own, or direct.
   • An expert or highly skilled person in a particular art or activity: A master is someone with consummate skill or knowledge.
   • An original version from which copies are made: In recording or art, a master is the primary source for duplication.
   • A title for a male, especially a young boy, used formally (archaic): Used as a courtesy title.
   • A person who holds a master's degree: Someone who has earned an advanced academic degree.

2. Verb:

   • To gain complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in something: To master a subject or skill is to learn it thoroughly and control it.
   • To gain control over; to overcome: To master a situation, emotion, or problem is to bring it under control.

3. Adjective:

   • Main, principal, or controlling: Used to describe the most important or dominant element.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He is the master of this estate. (He is the owner in control.)
  • She is a master of the violin. (She is an expert violinist.)
  • The studio created a digital master of the film. (They created the original high-quality copy.)
  • He earned his Master of Science degree. (He holds an advanced academic degree.)

• Verb:

  • It takes years to master a new language. (To become completely proficient in it.)
  • She struggled to master her fear of public speaking. (To gain control over her fear.)

• Adjective:

  • The house has a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. (The main or principal bedroom.)

Advanced Usage

• "Master of one's own destiny/fate": Being in control of one's own life and decisions.

  • He believed he was the master of his own fate.

• "Master and commander": A phrase denoting complete authority, often used historically or in titles.

  • He acted as master and commander of the expedition.

• "Old Master": A great European painter of the period from about 1500 to the early 1700s, or a painting by such a painter.

  • The museum has a collection of works by the Old Masters.

Variants and Related Words

• Mastery (n): Comprehensive knowledge or skill; dominion or control.

  • Her mastery of the subject was impressive.

• Masterful (adj): Powerful and able to control others; performed or performing very skillfully.

  • He gave a masterful performance.

• Masterly (adj): Showing the skill of a master.

  • It was a masterly piece of negotiation.

• Headmaster/Mistress (n): A person who is the head teacher of a school.

• Master switch (n): A switch controlling the supply of electricity or other power to an entire system.

Synonyms

• Noun (for a skilled person): Expert, virtuoso, maestro, adept, past master.
• Noun (for a person in control): Ruler, lord, chief, commander, boss.
• Verb (to learn thoroughly): Learn, grasp, conquer, get the hang of.
• Verb (to control): Overcome, subdue, conquer, tame, curb.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Master something in: To become highly skilled in something through practice (Note: "master" is not typically used with particles; this is a descriptive phrase, not a standard phrasal verb).
  • She mastered Japanese in two years.

Related Idioms

• Like master, like man: The servant or subordinate resembles the master in character or behavior.

  • The assistant was just as rude as his boss—like master, like man.

• Jack of all trades, master of none: A person who can do many different types of work but is not an expert in any of them.

  • He can fix many things, but he's a jack of all trades and master of none.

Adjective

1. most important element
   • the chief aim of living
   • the main doors were of solid glass
   • the principal rivers of America
   • the principal example
   • policemen were primary targets
   • the master bedroom
   • a master switch

Noun

1. key that secures entrance everywhere
2. an authority qualified to teach apprentices
3. someone who holds a master's degree from academic institution
4. an officer who is licensed to command a merchant ship
5. an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
6. presiding officer of a school
7. directs the work of others
8. a combatant who is able to defeat rivals
9. a person who has general authority over others
10. an artist of consummate skill
    • a master of the violin
    • one of the old masters

Verb

1. have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of
   • Do you control these data?
2. have dominance or the power to defeat over
   • Her pain completely mastered her
   • The methods can master the problems
3. get on top of; deal with successfully
   • He overcame his shyness
4. be or become completely proficient or skilled in
   • She mastered Japanese in less than two years